Why Motorcyclists are Vulnerable to Road Accidents

When you think about road accidents, the first victims that come into your mind are car drivers and passengers. But they are not the only ones who are vulnerable. It can even be argued that motorcyclists are more vulnerable to road accidents compared to other people on the road.

According to the website of Mazin & Associates, PC, those who have been involved in motorcycle accidents may have legal options, especially if the accidents have been triggered by negligent or reckless third parties. But why are motorcyclists so protected by the law? This is because the law makers clearly know the dangers of being a motorcyclist.

Limited protection

Road accidents may happen because of many reasons, such as driver error, mechanical defect, road defect, or even dangerous weather. When an accident does happen, motorcyclists are more prone to injuries because of their limited protections. They only have helmets, jackets, elbow and knee pads, and boots.

This is sad when compared to the protections available for car drivers and passengers. They have airbags, seatbelts, and entire metal frameworks that can protect them from significant impact. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, are likely to absorb majority of the force.

Limited traction

A necessary requirement for motorcyclists is knowledge of balancing themselves. Motorcycles only have two wheels, so their operators are responsible in keeping them balanced. You cannot say the same thing for cars, because they have a wheel on each corner.

Aside from this, motorcycle tires are also a lot smaller and thinner compared to vehicle tires, so they are more vulnerable to debris and other hazards on the road that can make them crash, such as rocks, sand, and even innocent piles of leaves.

Limited visibility

Motorcycles are also smaller to cars, so they may be harder to see on the road. Because of their size, they also have limited lights on their disposal, so they may be even harder to see on poorly lit areas. There is a reason why small transportation users, like bicyclists, prefer using reflective clothing. This is to at least enhance their visibility to other drivers.

It doesn’t help that motorcyclists can also weave through traffic, giving them a chance to be on the blind spots of others.